8 Mediterranean Film Destinations You Can Visit Now

Films not only showcase great acting, exciting adventures, and touching stories, but they also come with stunning landscapes from around the world. Here are some amazing films that were set in the Mediterranean, and will have you jumping on a plane faster than you can say Mamma Mia!

1. Mamma Mia!

Film Location: Skopelos Island, Greece

The extremely popular musical, Mammia Mia!, was filmed in the gorgeous Grecian landscape of Skopelos Island. The story revolves around a young daughter who is trying to find out her father’s identity before her wedding, and her mother who knows that it could be one of three men.

Packed with ABBA songs, this sing-a-long movie shows off Greece at its best: bright, colourful and full of charm. Some notable actors from this film include, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Dominic Cooper - a fantastic line up who were full of energy in this fun little movie.

Source: Titanas under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

2. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Film Location: Kefalonia, Greece

Based on the beautifully-written, tear-jerking book by Louis de Bernieres, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is set and filmed in Kefalonia, Greece. A war film at its essence, it’s also a romance story featuring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz. Although the movie deviates from the novel a lot, you can’t help but fall in love with Kefalonia, from the rich cinematography. This island has a verdant and diverse natural landscape, dotted with ghostly ruins of 1950s Kefalonian homes, destroyed by earthquakes and taken over by wildflowers.

Source: Berit Watkin under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

3. Skyfall

Film Location: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Skyfall kicks off in Istanbul Old Town, with a dramatic chase with famous landmark, Hagia Sophia, in the background. Hagia Sophia was the world’s largest cathedral for almost a thousand years, until 1520, when the Seville Cathedral was completed. Today, it is a museum, and one of the most visited of its kind in Turkey; you’ll want to visit for the stunning architecture, astounding religious history, and the sheer scale of this world-changing building. It’s unbelievable that this was first built in 537 AD.

Source: David Spender under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

4. Taken 2

Film Location: The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Yes, his daughter has been taken again… Taken 2 includes a scene located in The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, where a rooftop chase takes place. One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, this is a regularly visited area, and it’s exceedingly popular with tourists. You can find everything here, from loose-leaf tea to glimmering lanterns. While wandering around, you will be able to see artists at work, sample delicious Turkish dishes, and discover hidden treasures off the tourist track (try not to get lost though – it is fairly labyrinthine!).

Source: Ricardo Tulio Gandelman under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

5. Shirley Valentine

Film Location: Ag. Ioannis, Greece

Shirley Valentine is a story about a middle-aged woman trapped in an unsatisfying marriage, who goes off to Greece to discover herself. Instead of returning back home after her stay, she remains in Greece, sipping wine by the sea and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. The film and its actors went on to win a variety of awards, and this one is definitely worth a watch, if you haven’t seen it before! It will make you want to book a week off work, escape yourself, and enjoy your very own Grecian paradise (affair with a local boat-owner, optional).

Source: Ino Village Hotel Samos under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

6. Bourne Identity

Film Location: Little Venice, Mykonos, Greece

Bourne Identity begins with an American man washing up on the shore of a Mediterranean island, with no memory of how he got there, and all he has to his name is a mysterious Zurich bank account number. You can visit this destination in person – Little Venice, Mykonos. It’s a picturesque place with rows of fishing houses on the waterfront and hanging balconies. You can enjoy a glass of wine, while looking out at the sea, as the sun sets on another beautiful day spent in the Mediterranean sun.

Source: momo, under the CC 2.0 licence

7. Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life

Film Location: Santorini, Greece

This instalment of Tomb Raider starts with a wedding in Santorini, which is disrupted by a heavy earthquake, uncovering the hidden Luna Temple, built by Alexander the Great. Santorini is a popular holiday destination, especially for weddings and honeymoons, as every street and cobblestone drips with Greek romance – we’re talking multi-coloured cliffs, golden sands, and excellent wineries. What more could you want?

The Santorini today is all that remains, after a large volcanic eruption that took place almost 3,600 years ago, which destroyed some of the earliest settlements and obliterated half of the island. Now, this idyllic island looks over the sea, populated with blue and white houses that shine in the Grecian sun.

Source: Maggie Meng under the CC by SA 2.0 licence

8. The Inbetweeners Movie

Film Location: Malia, Crete, Greece

This coming-of-age comedy shows the more rambunctious side of holiday destination, Crete. After their A-Levels, a group of teenagers travel to Malia to party hard and let loose – you may not see the best parts of Malia in this movie, but if it has encouraged you to set sail to Greece, there is definitely an exciting party scene for foreign tourists. If that’s not your thing, Malia is famous for its ancient ruins, as well as its charming Old Town.